Scientists have developed a new test that can reveal the amount of DNA people shed, a tool that could be used by forensic experts to nab criminals using genetic clues left at crime scenes. A single tap of a finger on items like door handles, glass or even shaking hands …

The devices will be ‘biodegradable’ Scientists have developed a thin, flexible semiconductor, partly using organic materials, that can efficiently convert electricity into light and could help make bendable smartphones. The invention, by researchers at the Australian National University (ANU), also opens the door to a new generation of high-performance electronic …

They can catch and destroy BPA, a synthetic chemical commonly used to coat the insides of food cans Scientists have created tiny spheres that can catch and destroy bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemical used to make plastics that often contaminates water. BPA is commonly used to coat the insides …

In simulations, robots move around by exploring, observing and drawing from previous experiences As robots may struggle with navigational concepts, a team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have devised a new way to help them navigate environments more as humans do. The novel motion-planning model lets …

Applicable even if STT not paid earlier Initial public offerings, bonus, rights issues and ESoPs will be eligible for concessional rate of 10% long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax even if the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) has not been paid earlier. In the recent Budget, the government had, after a gap …

A kg of Gloriosa superba costs Rs. 3,420 For farmers frustrated by the vagaries of monsoon, Tamil Nadu’s State flower, Gloriosa superba is a gold mine waiting to be exploited. The plant, which contains 24 types of alkaloids (nitrogenous organic compounds) and 10 non-alkaloidal medicinal compounds, is widely used in …

At State’s business summit, Ambani commits to improving healthcare delivery Having invested over Rs. 4,000 crore in Uttarakhand, Mukesh Ambani on Sunday said his telecom venture Reliance Jio will in the next two years connect most of the 2,385-plus government schools and colleges with high-speed Internet to make the State …

E-commerce major to offer solutions for mobile protection Walmart-backed online retailer Flipkart said on Sunday that it is foraying into insurance after securing a corporate agent licence. To start with, the company said it would offer customised insurance solutions to power its ‘complete mobile protection program.’ It will do this …

Centre will earn Rs. 1.81 lakh crore from the 50 blocks auctioned since 2015 Having secured Rs. 1.81 lakh crore in its kitty from e-auction of 50 mineral blocks, the government is looking to put on block another 100 mines in the next six months, according to the Ministry of …

Crop loss is estimated at Rs. 5,543 crore, says UPASI The United Planters’ Association of Southern India (UPASI) has estimated the plantation crop loss in the recent floods, mainly in Kerala, parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, to be Rs. 5,543 crore with the highest loss in rubber at Rs. …

What’s different now is the compute power and the data available, says the general manager of AI at Microsoft At Microsoft’s annual developer event Ignite, last week, every session touched up on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in software products. David Carmona , general manager of AI at the …

High CAD, rising oil prices and depreciating rupee need a strong response from policymakers The government is currently in an unenviable position. Whereas there are demands for taking strong steps to tackle the problems facing the economy, the Centre is seen handling the situation with kid gloves. Most of the …

There was lot of focus, effort to tweak the PPP framework Reviving private sector investment in infrastructure will need an innovative sector-by-sector overhaul of the existing PPP models, CRISIL MD & CEO Ashu Suyash explains in an interview. Excerpts: The main takeaway from the CRISIL report is that the share …

Hundreds of dogs and their owners rallied to seek a new people’s vote on Brexit With tails wagging and raucous barking, hundreds of dogs and their owners rallied in London on Sunday to howl for a new people’s vote on Brexit, in what organisers dubbed a “wooferendum march”. The gathering …

Over 130 injured in north-west coast A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the northwest coast of Haiti late on Saturday, killing at least 11 people, injuring more than 130 others and damaging homes in the Caribbean nation, authorities said. The epicenter of the quake was located about 19 km northwest of …

Far-right Jair Bolsonaro in the lead Brazilians began casting ballots on Sunday in their most divisive presidential election in years, with a far-right politician promising an iron-fisted crackdown on crime, Jair Bolsonaro, the firm favourite in the first round. Surveys suggest that the 63-year-old former paratrooper, who wants to cut …

Seoul says the second N. Korea- U.S. summit will be held at ‘earliest date possible’ Kim Jong-un has agreed to hold a second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump as soon as possible, Seoul said on Sunday, after Washington’s top diplomat held “productive” talks on denuclearisation with the North Korean …

The conservative judge was confirmed to the Supreme Court by a razor-thin margin in the Senate Conservative U.S. judge Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court on Saturday by a razor-thin margin in the Senate, ending months of partisan rancor over his nomination and offering Donald Trump one of …

Intensive veterinary care is being provided The Gujarat Forest Department on Sunday started the vaccination of lions in the Gir Forest National Park to protect them from a deadly virus. As many as 23 lions have died in the Gir sanctuary in less than a month. Most of them have …

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the menace of Left-wing extremism (LWE) would be wiped out from the country in about three years. Addressing troops of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), a special unit of the CRPF, on the occasion of its 26th anniversary celebrations here, Mr. Singh said …